Ole Miss’ Andy Kennedy steps down, effective immediately
OXFORD, Miss. – In a statement issued Sunday afternoon, Ole Miss men’s head basketball coach Andy Kennedy has resigned, effective immediately.
On February 12, Kennedy issued his resignation, effective the end of the season; however, in his statement Sunday, Kennedy said he does not believe it is in the best interest of the program for him to finish out the season.
“It has become readily apparent to me that my continued presence as the head coach is “proving detrimental to these players finishing the season in a fashion that is representative of The Standard for this program that has been clearly established over a decade; therefore, I believe it is in everyone’s best interest that I exit my role as head coach effective immediately.“
Andy Kennedy
Complete statement from Coach Kennedy:
My announcement on Monday, February 12, declaring my impending resignation was intended to:
- Lift “the cloud” forming over our program due to continued speculation regarding my future as head coach.
- Stop any divisive distraction that the speculation was causing among our supporters (Rebel Nation) and all Ross to move forward with securing the next head coach for the program.
- Relieve any external pressure being felt by our current players.
While I believe the first two of these intended goals were accomplished, the third was not.
It has become readily apparent to me that my continued presence as the head coach is proving detrimental to these players finishing the season in a fashion that is representative of The Standard for this program that has been clearly established and maintained for over a decade; therefore, I believe that it is in everyone’s best interest that I exit my role as head coach effective immediately. We all know that “clean breaks” are always best, and I should have realized this last Monday. My apologies.
As I’ve stated before, I am Very Thankful to have had the opportunity to serve as the Head Coach for Men’s Basketball at The University of Mississippi for 12 years! This Community, this University, the SEC, have all overwhelmed me and my family with incredible grace and support. We will forever be woven into the fabric of this Very Special place – “Hell Yeah, Damn Right!!”
Sincerely,
AK
Madlock to serve as interim head coach
Tony Madlock, an assistant on Kennedy’s staff, will serve as acting head coach for Ole Miss for the remainder of the 2017-18 season. Madlock, in his fourth season as an assistant coach with the Rebels, has more than 20 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn’s love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
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